EURO 2008 - SWITZERLAND/AUSTRIA
Portugal/Turkey - 19H45
Here we go again! Unfortunately, on this occasion there is a dark cloud over my beloved national team. And it is all to do with our greatest footballer - Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ever since €2004 and the atrocious attacks of the English media, I've always defended Ronaldo through thick and thin in the way of posts in various forums and in conversation with friends and "english enemies" alike. That's why I'm sure I will not be alone in feeling a sense of despair and guilt, as a fellow Portuguese and Man United sympathiser - to hear day in and day out this pathetic talk about Ronaldo wanting away from the club he's contracted to!
A few hours before Portugal's kick off against Turkey, my thoughts go to Ronaldo who must produce an immaculate performance to avoid being blamed for any potential debacle and also having the finger pointed at him for the way he conducted himself or possibly allowed himself to be led in the last week or so, in the wake of all the rumours about "his commitment" to R. Madrid. But the blame should not rest with him alone, but also be apportioned to the president of the Portuguese football association and in no small measure to the coach Scolari too.
Let's hope that Portugal will win well today and this matter can be buried... for a few days at least.
Saturday, June 7
Thursday, January 4
If only...it was cricket! Well, now that England is closing in on another defeat in Australia, in what will most certainly be a series whitewash, I will not be speaking again (for some time at least) about Cricket. And when I do, it will be a different kind of cricket, that of the animal world, unless of course I can convince my countrymen to start playing the game. From what I've seen we could soon become a world sporting power at a new game, albeit without the added advantage of taking penalties. On the other hand we can always rely on some portuguese officials to bribe the referees in a game of great potential for dodgy decisions, bowling underarm, wides, leg before wicket, no balls, etc. Ultimately and while on the topic of no balls we can always engage a portuguese politician to bribe someone into sticking a couple of nails into the bails, thus making it reasonably safe for our team when keeping wicket. Would we be able to remain unbeaten for over 40 years in Cricket in the same way we have done in competitive Football? One can only guess (positively).
Monday, January 1
If only...it was cricket!
It looks as if Cristiano Ronaldo is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Many of his detractors are now swallowing hastily their words and praising one of the top football players on the planet... if not the best (yet).
Gone are the snide remarks about the "winking pariah" who, for lack of a better escapegoat, was made to pay for the poor performances of the English squad in that tournament.
The fact that Ronaldo was displaying his craft in England, made him the butt of jokes and target of the vilest remarks ever being made openly from all quarters including the national press and broadcasting media! He was labelled a Traitor!? Ok, one understands the lack of knowledge of the majority of the so called football fans, but have they forgotten that Cristiano Ronaldo was playing for his country, Portugal? Had Rooney, say, done the same, he would no doubt be hailed as a national hero for doing whatever he could to bring victory to his team. Alas, all he did was to bring shame to a team already in desarray and what better escapegoat that the "boy wonder" Ronaldo, who in a show of great courage and personality would return to these shores to enthrall and possibly even captivate those who only a few months ago were "demonising" him.... 'cause he is not english! Aren't they glad he does not play cricket, too?
It looks as if Cristiano Ronaldo is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Many of his detractors are now swallowing hastily their words and praising one of the top football players on the planet... if not the best (yet).
Gone are the snide remarks about the "winking pariah" who, for lack of a better escapegoat, was made to pay for the poor performances of the English squad in that tournament.
The fact that Ronaldo was displaying his craft in England, made him the butt of jokes and target of the vilest remarks ever being made openly from all quarters including the national press and broadcasting media! He was labelled a Traitor!? Ok, one understands the lack of knowledge of the majority of the so called football fans, but have they forgotten that Cristiano Ronaldo was playing for his country, Portugal? Had Rooney, say, done the same, he would no doubt be hailed as a national hero for doing whatever he could to bring victory to his team. Alas, all he did was to bring shame to a team already in desarray and what better escapegoat that the "boy wonder" Ronaldo, who in a show of great courage and personality would return to these shores to enthrall and possibly even captivate those who only a few months ago were "demonising" him.... 'cause he is not english! Aren't they glad he does not play cricket, too?
Sunday, September 17
After the recent Football World Cup and following the most xenophobic comments made by some english commentators about the Portuguese national team, I felt it necessary to create this blog to put the record straight.
After more then three months I still cannot believe the tone of voice of some of the "pannelists" on the BBC, urging Wayne Rooney to "give one" to Cristiano Ronaldo, when they next get together on the training ground. And what was more astonishing was the source of one such comment: Alan Shearer, who epitomises the brute force of english football and himself a renown smasher of many goals and many an opponent's jaw.
After more then three months I still cannot believe the tone of voice of some of the "pannelists" on the BBC, urging Wayne Rooney to "give one" to Cristiano Ronaldo, when they next get together on the training ground. And what was more astonishing was the source of one such comment: Alan Shearer, who epitomises the brute force of english football and himself a renown smasher of many goals and many an opponent's jaw.
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